- In full:
- George Augustus Frederick
- German:
- Georg August Friedrich
- Title / Office:
- king (1820-1830), United Kingdom
- king (1820-1830), Hanover
- House / Dynasty:
- House of Hanover
- Notable Family Members:
- spouse Maria Fitzherbert
- spouse Caroline of Brunswick-Lüneburg
- father George III
- mother Charlotte
- brother Frederick Augustus, Duke of York and Albany
- brother Ernest Augustus
George IV
-
Who was George IV?
George IV was the king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and King of Hanover from January 29, 1820, to June 26, 1830. He was born on August 12, 1762, in London, England, and died on June 26, 1830, in Windsor, Berkshire.
From 1811, he became regent for his father, George III, who suffered from mental illness, and served as sovereign de facto. The Regency period, from 1811 to 1820, is known for its elegant architecture and fashion, its literature, and its politics. George IV was known for his linguistic and intellectual abilities and his astute judgment in the arts.
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When did George IV become king of the United Kingdom?
George IV became the king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the king of Hanover on January 29, 1820, a position he held until his death on June 26, 1830. He acceded to the throne following the death of his father, George III. Prior to this, he had already been the de facto sovereign since February 5, 1811, when he became regent due to his father's mental illness.
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What was George IV like as a ruler?
George IV served as the de facto sovereign from 1811 due to his father George III's mental illness, and officially became king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in 1820. As regent, he chose to retain his father’s ministers, which benefited the nation by ensuring the continuation of the war against Napoleon.
As king, George IV clashed with Prime Minister Liverpool but found common ground with George Canning, relying heavily on advice from his physician Sir William Knighton. He is remembered for his linguistic and intellectual abilities, his patronage of the arts, and his sponsorship of architectural projects such as Regent Street and the Royal Pavilion at Brighton.
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How did George IV's lifestyle influence his reputation?
George IV's extravagant lifestyle significantly shaped his reputation. Even at a young age, he was, as he said, "rather too fond of women and wine". His close associations with Whig politicians and his secret, invalid marriage to Maria Fitzherbert further strained his relationship with his father, George III, who viewed him with contempt.
To settle his debts, George IV entered a loveless marriage with Caroline of Brunswick, but they soon separated after the birth of their daughter. His coronation was notably expensive, which was perhaps the most expensive in British history, adding to the perception of excess.
Despite his flaws, George IV possessed intellectual abilities and demonstrated good taste in the arts, supporting architect John Nash and commissioning the Royal Pavilion at Brighton.
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What important events happened during George IV's reign?
During his reign as King of the United Kingdom and Hanover, George IV had already been sovereign de facto since 1811, acting as regent for his father, George III, who had fallen ill. George IV decided to retain his father’s ministers, which benefited the nation, as they triumphed over Napoleon in 1815. After he became king in 1820, his estranged wife, Caroline, returned to claim her rights as queen, but she was ultimately denied those rights.
George IV's coronation in 1821 was extravagant. He later approved of George Canning, who became foreign secretary in 1822 and prime minister in 1827. George IV also had good taste in the arts, as seen in his patronage of John Nash, who developed Regent Street and Regent’s Park, London, and his sponsorship of the restoration of Windsor Castle.
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How is George IV remembered in British history today?
George IV, who ruled the United Kingdom and Hanover from 1820 to 1830, is remembered for his complex legacy. He served as regent from 1811 due to his father George III's mental illness.
Known for his extravagant lifestyle, he faced criticism for his self-indulgence and strained relationship with his father. His marriage to Caroline of Brunswick was a public scandal, and his coronation was one of Britain's most expensive.
Despite his personal failings, George IV was a patron of the arts, supporting architect John Nash's development of Regent Street and the Royal Pavilion at Brighton.
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George IV (born August 12, 1762, London, England—died June 26, 1830, Windsor, Berkshire) was the king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and king of Hanover from January 29, 1820, to June 26, 1830. He served as the sovereign de facto from February 5, 1811, when he became regent for his father, George III, who suffered from mental illness.
The eldest son of George III and Charlotte Sophia of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, he had become by age 17, as he said, “rather too fond of women and wine.” His way of life and his close friendship with Charles James Fox and other loose-living Whig politicians caused his father to regard him with contempt. In 1784 the prince met the only woman he ever deeply loved, Maria Fitzherbert, whom he married secretly on December 15, 1785. The marriage, however, was invalid: members of the royal family under the age of 25 were forbidden to marry without the king’s consent.
On April 8, 1795, in order to induce Parliament to pay his debts, the prince contracted a loveless marriage with his cousin Caroline, daughter of the duke of Brunswick and George III’s sister Augusta. A few weeks after the birth of their only child, Princess Charlotte (1796–1817), the couple separated, and in 1814 Caroline went to live in Italy.
In November 1810 George III became unfit to rule, and shortly afterward the prince became regent under the terms of the Regency Act (1811). In February 1812, when the restrictions of that statute expired, George decided to retain his father’s ministers rather than appoint survivors from among his old Whig friends (Fox had died in 1806). His decision benefited the nation, because Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, and other leading Whigs were prepared to abandon the war with France and leave Napoleon the master of the European continent. As it was, Great Britain and its allies finally triumphed over Napoleon in 1815. George IV’s accession on the death of his father in 1820 did not add to the powers that he had possessed as regent.
After George IV became king, Caroline returned to claim her rights as queen consort. A bill to deprive her of those rights and to dissolve the marriage on the ground of her adultery was introduced into the House of Lords but was never put to a vote in the Commons. George IV’s coronation was held on July 19, 1821, and it is was perhaps the most expensive in British history. The king reportedly wanted a service to rival that of Napoleon. The result was an extravagant ceremony that included a crown with 12,000 diamonds; the banquet served more than 2,000 people. Caroline showed up during the coronation, hoping to be crowned. However, she was denied entrance and died on August 7, 1821.
George IV insulted and intrigued against Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd earl of Liverpool, who served as prime minister from 1812 to 1827. George Canning, who became foreign secretary in 1822 and prime minister in 1827, won George’s approval, partly by cultivating the friendship of Sir William Knighton, the king’s physician and keeper of the privy purse, on whose advice George relied excessively. But after 1827 he ceased to have any personal weight with either of the two great parties. In 1830 George IV died and was succeeded by his brother, William IV.
George IV’s character was in part redeemed by his linguistic and other intellectual abilities and especially by his astute judgment in the arts; he patronized the architect John Nash, who developed Regent Street (1811–c. 1825) and Regent’s Park, London; and he sponsored Sir Jeffry Wyatville’s restoration of Windsor Castle. George’s most famous effort was the exotic Royal Pavilion at Brighton with its Mughal Indian and Chinese decorations, designed by Nash.
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